Automatic train-stopping apparatus.



M. W. HAMPTON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOPPING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED 13110.3, 1913.

1,132,340 Patented Mar. 16, 1915;

81mm A4. 14. 17am ptoru THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTOJJTHQ, WASHINGTON, D. C I

AUTOMATIC TRAIN-STOPPING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.-

Application filed December 3, 1913. Serial No. 804,469.

I To'aZZ whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, MARVIN'W. HAMr'roN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Malo, in the county of Ferry and State of Washington, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Train-Stop ping Apparatus, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in automatic train stops.

t In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide an'automatic train stopping apparatus which will be found especially useful in conjunction with the automatic block signal system and whereby when a block signal is at danger and a train or car as the case may be passes the same the brake pipe will be'automatically opened so that the brakes will be applied to the wheels. 7

It is also my purpose to provide an apparatus of the class described which will embody among other features a valve connected in the train line air pipe and a cylinder in open communication with such pipe and having a piston therein equipped with a piston rod connected to the handle of the valve, the air acting upon the piston to open the valve, a catch being provided and holding the piston normally against movement under the action of the air and under the control of an electroresponsive device connected in an electric circuit under the influence of the'adjacent signal blade, such electroresponsive device being located adjacent to the entrance ends of the blocks and under the control of the respective signals.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claim.

In the accompanying drawing; the figure is a diagrammatic view of an automatic train stop constructed in accordance with my present invention.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing in detail, the numeral 1 designates the brake pipe of the air brake system of the car or train, while 2 indicates a release valve located in the pipe and provided with a depending handle 3 connected to the stem thereof. A cylinder 4 has one end thereof in open communication with the train line air pipe by way of a pipe or conduit 5 and of sliding movement therein under the action of the air is a piston 6 equipped with a piston rod 7 projecting outwardly of the Patented Mar. 16, 1915. j

TE STATES. PATE OFFICE" i Inounted within such cylinder and capable other end of the cylinder and connected through the medium. of a pin and slot con i nection 8 with the handle 3 .of the valve 2. The piston rod 7 adjacent to its outer end is 7 formed with a notch or recess 9 in which is normally seated the upper extremity of a vertical latching rod 10 mounted for 'sliding movement within a bearing 11 carried by an appropriate part of the car frame.

Fixedto the latching rod 10 a suitable distance above the bearing 11 is a collar '12, while encircling the latching rod between the collar '12 and the bearing is a coiled expansion spring 13 having one end bearing against the collar and the opposite end abutting the bearingll, such spring acting to hold the upper end of the latching rod normally within the recess or notch 9 so that movement of the piston 6- within the cylinder l under the action ofthe air to open the ture 14.

Arranged adjacent to the entrance end to each block is a magnet 15 having the coil thereof connected in an electric circuit 16 including a suitable source of electrical energy such, for instance, as a battery 17 and path of movement of the armature 14 on the car..

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the construction, modev of operation and manner of employing my invention will be readily apparent. \Vhena signal blade is set at danger the circuit closer 18 is operated to close the circuit 16 and so energizes the I coil or'winding of the magnet 15 and should a train attempt to enter the block against the set danger signal, the armature 14 on the lower end of the latching rod, coming withy in the influence of the poles'of the magnet, will be attracted whereby the latching rod will be lowered against the action of the spring 13. Thus, the upper end of the latching rod will be vwithdrawn from the,

notch or recess 9 and the piston 6 moved 80 valve 2 1s avolded. Suitably secured to the -E lower .end of the latching rodis an armawithin the cylinder 4: under the action of the air thereby swinging the handle 3 to open the valve 2 and bleed the train line air pipe so that the brakes are applied and the train or car as the case may be brought to a standstill.

In the present instance, the movable element of the circuit closer 18 is connected to the outer end of a piston rod 19 connected to a piston 20 working within an air cylinder 21. Leading into the lower end of the air cylinder 21 is a supply pipe 22 and lo- 1 cated in such pipe is a valve casing 23 formed with a bleed opening 24 and having slidably mounted therein a valve 25, the face of the valve 25 adjacent to the wall of the casing formed with the bleed opening being provided with a pressure relieving groove 26. This valve 25 is connected with the adjacent signal blade as illustrated in the drawing and when the blade is in normal or clear position the valve 25 is in the position illustrated so that the lower end of the cylinder 21 is in open communication with the atmosphere by way of the respective portion of the pipe 22, the groove 26 and the bleed opening 24-. However, when the blade is actuated to danger position the valve 25 moves upwardly within the casing thereby cutting off communication between the cylinder 21 and the atmosphere and establishing communication between such cylinder and a source of air supply. As the air enters the cylinder 21 the piston 20 moves upwardly therein to actuate the circuit closer to closed position thereby closing the circuit to the magnet 15.

I claim:

In train stopping apparatus, the combination with the brake pipe, of a valve in said pipe provided with a depending handle having the lower end thereof formed with an elongated slot, a cylinder in open communication with said pipe, a piston within said cylinder and equipped with a piston rod projecting outwardly of one end of the cylinder, a pin secured to said rod adjacent-to the outer end thereof and disposed within the slot in said handle whereby in the movement of the piston in the cylinder under the action of the air the valve will be opened, said piston rod having the lower portion thereof formed with a notch, a vertically disposed latching rod having the upper end thereof within said notch, a spring encircling said rod and acting upon the latter to hold the same nor mally in engagement with the notch, and means for actuating said rod against the action of the spring to release said piston rod.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' MARVIN W. HAMPTON.

Witnesses C. T. DAvrs, C. C. KUEHNE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of- Patents,

Washington, D. (3. 

